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Scuba Diver Uses Wrong Air Tank, Dies In Straits Of Mackinac

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MACKINAW CITY (WWJ/AP) – Authorities say a Minnesota man who died while scuba diving in the Straits of Mackinac used the wrong air tank.

The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department said Dennis Javens of Mankato, Minnesota, died Saturday after running out of air. The 64-year-old was diving in about 150 feet of water to see the sunken Cedarville vessel east of the Mackinac Bridge.

Investigators say Javens accidently used his reserve tank instead of his main tank. He likely didn’t realize the mistake and tried to use the empty reserve tank when he ran out of air, officials said.

Police say he tried to use the buddy system but became unresponsive. His dive partner couldn’t bring him to the surface. His partner surfaced and sought help.

First responders couldn’t revive him. Investigators say he was underwater for about 20 minutes.